What role does Hills (2004) suggest the fans play in the
construction of cult TV? How is new media central to this?
Over decades, the
construction of cult TV is classified into different components in a three-part
model including text, inter-text and audience (Hills, 2004). Hills (2004) also
suggested that the contribution of audience (fans) in the construction of cult
TV is remarkable and effective. Fans of cult TV shows are engaged and willing
to devote themselves into the mainstream of constructing cult TV.
The long
term relationship between cult TV shows and the fans has created a distinctive and
explorative market. Hills (2004) stated that “loyal, dedicated fans of cult TV
do to express and indicate their fandom, suggesting that cult status arises, ultimately,
through an audience’s passion for a TV show”. According to Hills (2004), he discussed
on how fans integrated TV programmes into an inter-textual network (fans based
communication network where fans can be informed, advised, have discussion,
comparison and raised awareness in relation or references to cult TV through other
films, books, movies and popular mediums like online fan’s websites) in
detailed description. The development and improvement of online fan’s websites
on cult TV allowed fans to organise themselves generally into “Appreciation
Societies” which allows them to develop and gather together to critique or share
their interests; then creating the “sense of fan communal distinctiveness”
(Hills, 2004).
In this
modern changing world, technology has become more and more important in our
daily routine. The new media has helped to revive cult TV shows and also made
it more easily accessible for fans all around the world to instantly communicate
and share their feelings with other fans through internet (online); and hence building
up a community to widen the foundation base of fandom on the discussion of
their favourite cult TV shows. Both the fans and new media play the major role
in the cult TV construction, contributed for the cult TV shows to have a wider
mass of market internationally.
Reference:
Hills, M. (2004). Defining Cult TV;
Texts, Inter-texts and Fan Audiences, The Television
Studies Reader, in R. C. Allen
& A. Hill. London and New York: Routledge.
Thanks Cing Cing. Good. I also agree that new media and social media has changed the form of fandom.
ReplyDeleteHi Cing Cing. I have not received a Reality TV blog post from you. Please get it posted by Friday (and don't forget that is the same day your FanFic assignment is due).
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